Brits who want to keep spiders out during 'mating season' should do three things

It's currently spider mating season, which will explain why you feel like you're seeing more eight-legged creepy crawlies than usual right now. Around this time each year, between late August and peaking at the start of October, male spiders are looking for females to copulate with.

As the weather gets colder they leave their webs to seek refuge indoors, making it a nightmare time for any arachnophobe. But luckily there are things you can do to help prevent them flocking into your home.

People who don't want creepy crawlies to enter their homes this autumn have been urged to do three things to keep them out, and they are all natural deterrents that don't require you to go out and spend a lot of money.

TR Cleaning Services, based in Weston-super-Mare took to TikTok to give the three tips, and people can't wait to give it a go themselves.

Sharing the three natural deterrents, the cleaning experts said: "First, clean your windows. Then use white vinegar and water mixed in a spray bottle."

Mixing equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and using it on entry points, cracks and corners can discourage spiders from entering. White vinegar contains acetic acid, which spiders are extremely sensitive to.

Another alternative, which can leave your home spelling lovely, is to use peppermint oil and water in a spray bottle instead.

Again, this works in theories because they hate the smell and taste with their legs. However, you might not want to use this method if you have pets. Many essential oils, such as peppermint, eucalyptus and tea tree oil can be toxic to them.

Another method they recommended was rubbing lemon peel on the cracks of the windows, where spiders might be tempted to enter. Spiders don't like strong citrus scents such as oranges, lemons and limes. It confuses and irritates their sensory system.

When asked how often they would recommend doing this, a cleaning expert replied: "I do this once a week just to make sure. Only get the odd spider here and there, before I would get loads, so I would say they work for me personally."

Having also tested these methods, another said: "Lemon works on mine."

How to keep spiders out of your home

Other ways you can consider preventing spiders from entering home is to seal entry points, by making sure there are no cracks, gaps and holes around doors, windows or walls.

Reducing outdoor lighting can also help, as spiders are attracted to insects, which are srawn to lights. It can also help to keep your home clean by vacuuming regularly, removing cobwebs as soon as you see them, and decluttering storage areas.

Because spiders eat insects, you should remove the sources of foods these are attracted to, by cleaning up crumbs and keeping food sealted. Take the bins out regularly, and keep them sealed.